Odisha: Maoist leader Gananatha Patra released

Koraput: Alleged Maoist sympathiser Gananatha Patra, whose release is demanded by the kidnappers of an Italian national, was on Thursday acquitted by a fast track court in a case involving abduction of eleven people in Koraput district in 2009.

Additional district judge of fast track court, S
Prabhakar Rao acquitted Patra, who was accused of being
involved in abduction of 11 people in Bandhugaon area in 2009,
due to lack of evidence.

However, Patra who is currently lodged in Koraput
jail, is facing charges of different nature in three other
cases.

Patra, advisor of Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi
Sangha (CMAS), is among the ultras and their sympathisers
whose release has been demanded by the abductors of Puri-based
54-year-old Italian tour operator Paolo Bosusco.

Bosusco`s compatriot, Italian tourist Claudio
Colangelo was released by Maoists on Sunday as a "goodwill
gesture."

Both had been abducted by the rebels while trekking in
the forests of tribal-dominated Kandhamal district on March
14.